Life can be stressful. It is the one universal thing we can agree on. The human brain can’t help but fixate and overthink every little thing. Something to remember is that life is completely and totally out of your control. It is the one thing that you can count on. So how can we handle stress? First to understand that nothing is permanent, so all the bad times in life will pass, as will the good times. Yet another thing you can’t control. While it may not seem like it, that is a good thing. Without the bad, you wouldn’t appreciate the good. The second thing is that change is inevitable. Your life is constantly changing and stressing over something that isn’t permanent is just a waste of your energy. 

Some things to help you de-stress can be taking a walk and going outside. Getting vitamin D and spending time in the sun is proven to lower stress levels by releasing serotonin and endorphins, promoting relaxation. Another idea is that if you are overthinking something, writing about your thoughts and getting it out on paper or talking about it can help rest your mind. Personally, when I am stressed I like to keep busy and do things that will take my mind off everything. Something specific I do is I clean. Whether it be my bedroom or the kitchen, it just lifts my mood and makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.

I think it’s very important to find what works for you, so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your life and the things you love. And sometimes all you need to do is take a step back from everything and just breathe.